About Diabetes

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From: American Diabetes Association

Diabetes:

A disease that impairs the body's ability to use food.

Insulin, produced in the pancreas, helps the body use food for energy. If a person is diagnosed with diabetes their pancreas either doesn't make insulin or their body cannot properly use insulin.

Glucose, the body's main source of energy, builds up in the blood without insulin.

There are 2 types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. 90%+ of the Americans who have diabetes have Type 2 - about 16 million people.

Some Symptoms Include:

Type1 and Type 2: frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, dramatic weight loss, irritability, weakness & fatigue, nausea & vomiting, sores that are difficult to heal on the skin or gums, recurring bladder infections, blurred vision, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, itchy skin.

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 symptoms usually occur gradually over months or years. Some symptoms are so mild, they go unnoticed.

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

Conditions & Treatment
Arm yourself with information about conditions associated with type 1 diabetes, and how to prevent them. Conditions associated with type 1 diabetes include hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and celiac disease. Visit here for more information. on treatment and conditions.

Complications
Having type 1 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 1 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy).

Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:

• Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
• Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

While diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.

Conditions & Treatment
Conditions associated with type 2 diabetes include hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Visit here for more information. on treatment and conditions.

Complications
Having type 2 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 2 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy).

Recently Diagnosed

If you've just been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably have a million questions running through your head. This section of American Diabetes Association will help give you some answers.